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Are smart people really miserable?
It has long been perceived that average people tend to be happier compared to highly intelligent individuals. Even if they have a great job, a loving partner, and a doting family, many find it difficult to find life satisfaction compared to the average Joe or Jane.
With their ability to understand life’s complexities, the exceptionally brainy elites are often tormented a by a number of issues from global affairs to the meaning of life.
Here are some reasons why so many smart people fail to be happy.
1. They tend to over analyze everything.
Super smart people are prone to overthinking and over-analyzing everything that happens in their life and surroundings. Such behavior can be very exhausting and frustrating and can drain the life out of you.
2. They have very high expectations.
Whether it’s in their relationships, career, hobbies or anything else, highly intelligent people have high standards or expectations which are often not met. Their idealistic view of the world makes it hard for them cope with ordinary people, leaving them disappointed in the end.
3. They judge themselves too hard.
Brainy people often have the tendency to judge themselves too hard regardless of their successes and failures. They unintentionally tend to over analyze their actions and behavior and compare them against extremely high standards. Even if a mistake was committed years ago, this will still haunt their mind and mess up their mood, filling them with negative emotions.
4. They are in constant search for exceptionalism.
Having high IQ gives them the power to imagine bigger things and aim really really high. This often makes them always in search for a bigger purpose but often leaves them unsatisfied with what they have in life.
5. They find it difficult to find someone who can understand them.
Intelligent people want meaningful conversations with a like-minded person. However, it will be difficult for them to have an in-depth conversation with ordinary people most of the time. It’s very rare for them to encounter someone who understands their views and are capable of answering complex questions about philosophy, global issues and even personal life.
6. They are prone to psychological issues.
Many studies have found a link between mental health problems and higher intelligence and creative thinking. Some of the world’s greatest achievers like Ernest Hemingway, Vincent Van Gogh, Buzz Aldrin and Emily Dickinson had bipolar disorder.
